Brian Cody

believes the success of

Mount Leinster

Rangers in becoming the first

Carlow

side to contest a senior All-Ireland club hurling final is no more than conformation that hurling in the county is in the ascendant.

Mount Leinster qualified to meet Portumna on St Patrick’s Day in the final with a one-point victory over Loughgiel at the weekend.

The manager of nine Kilkenny All-Ireland winning teams says the rise of Carlow stands comparison to what has happened in Dublin.

“I’d say it’s just an outstanding achievement. I would be absolutely delighted for them. They played in an All-Ireland intermediate club final and they are there now as Leinster senior club champions.

“It’s been happening in Carlow. I said this before. I remember talking about Dublin for a good few years to people like yourselves. I’m not saying you agreed or disagreed with me but I often felt that people didn’t really agree with me that there was something going on.

“I’m not saying the same thing will be happening in Carlow or anything like that from the point of view of population or anything like that but it’s been happening in Carlow for a while; there has been great work going on there from a coaching point of view, from a development point of view.”

Hurling in Carlow has traditionally close ties with the game over the border in Kilkenny and Cody said he has been impressed by what he has seen on his visits.

'An outstanding club'
"I've been across there at different times. I have absolutely no input whatsoever but you might be asked to go over and say something or present medals or whatever it might be. There is a lovely promotion of the game going on and work in clubs. I'd say Mount Leinster Rangers are an example of an outstanding club.

“I saw them during the year. My own club played a challenge against them. I was massively impressed by the quality of their hurling, the quality of their team play, everything about them.

“They are a great club and I am delighted for them, absolutely delighted for them.”